Ghana Appoint Carlos Queiroz As Coach Ahead Of 2026 World Cup

Ghana have appointed experienced Portuguese tactician Carlos Queiroz as head coach of the Black Stars ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following the departure of Otto Addo earlier this month.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) confirmed the appointment on Monday, with Queiroz tasked with leading the four-time African champions into the expanded global tournament set to be hosted in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

In a statement, the GFA said: “The Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association, working with all key stakeholders, has appointed Carlos Queiroz as head coach of the senior national team, the Black Stars.”

The 73-year-old replaces Addo, who was relieved of his duties after a difficult spell, as Ghana seek to stabilise their technical direction ahead of the World Cup in June.

A coach with vast World Cup pedigree

Queiroz arrives in Accra with one of the most extensive international coaching resumes in world football, particularly at the World Cup.

He led South Africa to qualification for the 2002 tournament, guided Portugal to the knockout stages in 2010, and managed Iran at both the 2014 and 2018 editions — consistently earning praise for his tactical discipline and defensive organisation.

The GFA highlighted this experience as central to his appointment, stating that he “boasts an extensive World Cup pedigree” and is expected to bring leadership and structure to the Black Stars setup.

Beyond his international work, Queiroz has coached at some of the highest levels of the game, including spells as Real Madrid manager and assistant coach at Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson, where he was widely credited for his role in the club’s success during the early 2000s.

Immediate task: World Cup preparation

With less than three months to the start of the tournament, Queiroz faces an immediate challenge to prepare Ghana for a demanding group campaign.

According to the GFA, “Coach Queiroz begins work immediately to prepare the Black Stars for the tournament, which kicks off on June 11, 2026.”

Ghana’s World Cup campaign begins against Panama on June 17 in Toronto, before tougher fixtures against England and Croatia in what is expected to be a highly competitive group.

The appointment signals a shift towards experience and pragmatism, with the GFA turning to a coach known for his structured approach and ability to organize teams against stronger opposition.

A crucial moment for Ghana football

Queiroz takes charge at a pivotal time for Ghanaian football, with the Black Stars seeking to rebuild confidence after some difficult results in recent friendlies

Otto Addo’s departure earlier this month followed growing scrutiny over results and team identity, prompting the GFA to act swiftly in securing a high-profile replacement.

For Queiroz, the role represents another chapter in a long international career, but also a unique challenge — guiding one of Africa’s most storied national teams on the world stage.

His appointment is likely to raise expectations among Ghanaian fans, who will hope his experience can translate into a strong showing at the tournament.

Eyes on June

With preparations now underway, attention will quickly turn to squad selection, tactical identity and readiness for the global stage.

Ghana have previously reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup in 2010 — the best performance by an African team at the time — and will be hoping to make a renewed impact in 2026.

For now, the focus is firmly on Queiroz, whose immediate task is clear: to mould a competitive team capable of navigating a difficult group and restoring belief in the Black Stars.